"hoping to pull a rabbit out of a hat"
Well, to a great extent, I did this. 2:28:13 - 51st/335 runners.
Not a bad effort considering the lack of form and training I have done since February 2010.
This was a great run. By far the most measured, controlled and satisfying run I have ever had.
I love the Two Bays Track, and it treats me well.
Like an Apex I was, down the side of the mountains - making up time and distance on every downhill that I could. Busting guts, and feeling oh so free.
I get lost out there on the Two bays Track. I am myself, through and through. No ego, no worries, no prejudice, no distaste and disgust - and all animal man.
And So the Story goes....
The girl and I got accommodation in the last camping sight, in the last caravan park (without having to drive 30mins out of town). We put up our tent, and went about enjoying some time in the sun down at the beach. Saturday afternoon soon swept in with the breeze and we were still on the beach, and beginning to feel very peckish.
Dinner was a minimum of chips, average La Porchetta pasta, and a six-pack of Asahi.
It all went down superbly and we decided to jump in the tent and hit the sack (or the hard ground as it was). We were without a mattress of any sort, and the ground was none too comfortable.
Hence, I didn't sleep much this night - but when I awoke to my alarm, it was I that was alert. Albeit, in a sedative form of alertness. It was a sub-conscious focus if you will.
Katrina got me to the race just in time to hear the final words before the starter’s gun went off. I was busily ad donning my shoes in the car at the time, but there was a buzz about that ringing with nervous energy.
The 400-500 people all looked as if they were very serious runners. But a lack-lustre start by most at from the starting line had me second guessing that as I speedily placed myself about 2/3rds of the way to the front of the pack.
The first part of Arthur’s Seat (where it is more bushland than it is hills and steps) was a real challenge.
I was burning energy, and trying to get some sort of rhythm.
Running hills from the outset is a difficult task. Not warmed up, no breathing pattern and no momentum.
By the time I hit the steps I had started to dig deep already.
A few passed me on the hill - but I would have passed a dozen of my own.
By the time I was over the hump - I had had enough of myself and I was ready to let it rip.
Learning from last year, I had promised myself that I was going to go really hard throughout the middle part of the race, and not conserve anything, even at risk of not finishing, or crawling over the line.
I wasn't feeling 100%, but I went for it, and eventually I was biting and the heels of those in front of me, and passing them at will.
Another thing that I had learnt a lot about from last year and this time took very seriously was fuel.
I made sure to eat GU’s at regular intervals and keep my water up as much as possible.
The run was fast and frantic the entire way. I had finished before I even realised that I was really getting started. When I finished I was fresh, I was relieved and I felt on top of the world.
In fact, I had been conserving energy because I thought that the run would take me well over 3hours to complete. So at the 2 hour mark, although everything started to look like the home stretch, I just kept telling myself that I was cheating myself and that I needed to control my instincts to stride for the finishing line.
I turned the corner at the car park before the car park (the finish line) and had this horrible feeling that I had just spent the past 15 or so minutes meandering towards the end.
I crossed the line with such glee - however I definitely had a fair bit more in me - truth be told.
This is my favourite run that I have ever done - and is the perfect blue print for another perfect run in the making. RIU!!!!
GB.
